12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 68 (69):8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33
Picture: By Milo Bauman on Unsplash
My dear friends, what do these two brief biblical phrases have in common? The first is, away with you. And the second, let it be. Away with you, and let it be… Each phrase has a meaning that’s the opposite of the other. The first is an expression of firm resistance. It’s what Jesus tells the devil in the wilderness, in Matthew’s gospel (4:11): Away with you, Satan!… The second phrase speaks not of resistance but of humble submission. The Blessed Virgin Mary uses it to respond to the angel Gabriel, at the Annunciation, in Luke’s gospel (1:11): Let it be with me according to your word… Firm resistance versus humble submission. Away with you, and let it be. What could these two phrases possibly have in common? Isn’t it true that both resistance and submission require courage? It takes courage to resist the devil, and to submit to God. And not just courage, but also wisdom. Wisdom to know when to resist and when to submit. But if this is true, then how, or from where, might we receive such courage and wisdom, especially if we happen to find ourselves surrounded by darkness and danger? Isn’t this the question our scriptures invite us to ponder today?
The first reading, presents us with another brief but striking phrase. This time spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: Terror from every side! In its biblical context, this phrase has more than one meaning. First, it refers to the persecution that the prophet himself is suffering. Most recently, he has been beaten up, and imprisoned overnight in the Temple. But beyond that, he has also been tormented by dark whispers, disparaging rumours, that others, including his friends, have been spreading about him behind his back. And what is the reason for this cruel persecution? It’s because Jeremiah has ignored repeated warnings from the authorities, telling him to stop preaching the unpopular message that God has given him. He has persisted in calling the people to surrender to the invading Babylonian army. In other words, through his actions, the prophet has been both resisting and submitting. To his opponents, he has effectively been saying, away with you. And to God, let it be. But that’s not all. The phrase terror from every side is not just a reference to Jeremiah’s sufferings. It’s also the nickname that the prophet gives to his chief persecutor. The one responsible for his beating and imprisonment. The priest, Pashur. For whether Pashur realises it or not, he too has been resisting and submitting. But in the opposite way. By submitting to popular demand, Pashur has been resisting God. And, as a result, a great disaster will soon befall the people. They will all experience terror on every side. The horrors that follow from being defeated in war.
But from where does Jeremiah receive the wisdom and courage to keep recognising and submitting to the will of God, while resisting all who oppose it? The prophet himself gives us the answer. Despite his own painful experience of terror from every side, Jeremiah is still able to cling to his faith and hope in the presence and action of God. He believes he is not alone. (T)he Lord is at my side, a mighty hero… And it is the Lord who sustains him. Giving him the wisdom and courage he needs to persevere. To know when to resist, and when to submit.
In the gospel too, we find yet another brief but striking phrase. One that Jesus utters repeatedly: Do not be afraid… Again, in order to better appreciate the significance of these words, it’s helpful to recall their biblical context. Just a little earlier on, Jesus had summoned the Twelve, given them authority, and then sent them out to proclaim the good news, ’The kingdom of heaven has come near’ (10:7). But not before telling them to expect persecution, even from the closest members of the family. Then, in today’s reading, Jesus gives an indication of how they might receive the wisdom and courage needed to persevere in their difficult mission. How to not be afraid. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the daylight; what you hear in whispers, proclaim from the housetops… Implying that, even amid the dangers of persecution, the Lord remains with them, mysteriously guiding them, through whispers in the dark.
All of which may help us better understand the distinction St Paul is making in the second reading. The difference between Adam and Jesus. By disobeying God, and listening to the serpent, Adam makes himself a doorway for sin and death to enter and rule the world. In contrast, by resisting the devil, and submitting to God, Jesus becomes the Doorway for divine grace, overflowing from his Cross, as an abundant free gift for us all. And isn’t it true that, even amid the darkness and dangers of our hyper-modern world, both these spiritual doorways remain open to us? Inviting us to choose between them?
Some of us may recall that let it be is not just a phrase found in the Bible. It also happens to be the title of an old Beatles hit. It seems fitting to conclude our reflection with these memorable words from that hopeful song: And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me. Shine until tomorrow. Let it be. I wake up to the sound of music. Mother Mary comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom. Let it be…. Whisper words of wisdom. Let it be…
Away with you, and let it be… Sisters and brothers, what can we do to help one another receive the wisdom and courage we need to continue properly resisting and submitting today?
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